All right. You know what's up, everybody. It's time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Nina Yang Bongiovi.
Who are you?
Nina Yang Bongiovi. I'm a film producer, producing partner of Forest Whitaker, who's trying to shift the paradigm in diverse storytelling by collaborating with filmmakers of color, therefore, authentic lenses are embraced.
What are you?
I was born in Taiwan with parents who escaped from China during WWII. So Taiwanese-American, Chinese-American, Asian-American, a woman of color (WOC) in Hollywood.
Where are you?
I'm predominantly in Los Angeles, but go where my productions take me. My heart is in Oakland, my serenity is in Hawaii, and my bloodlines are in Taipei and in Shanghai.
Where are you from?
Taiwan originally, then raised in Los Angeles, outer east-side of L.A. -- where you're not supposed go west into the film biz.
What do you do?
I seek stories to tell through producing and are often in the trenches doing so. Procuring IPs/discovering talent, develop screenplays, source financing, secure cast, physically produce projects (not just show up for lunch), oversee post-production, then take the film to a festival (if applicable) for its launch, and lastly, deliver the baby to a distributor (note: this part is pure hell). I also protect the vision of filmmakers I work with from beginning to end. Damn, I'm tired just telling y'all that. Real producing is NOT a glamorous gig.
What are you all about?
I'm all about empowerment for people of color in film and entertainment. I would love to see more women of color produce so we all have a seat at the head of the table. I'm about creating solidarity amongst all POC in generating much needed change.
What makes you angry?
(1) Lack of Integrity; people who don't give credit where it's due; people who steal others' credit. (2) Hype and embellishment for one's own gain based on lies and deceit. (3) People who are dismissive of minority voices/WOC/POC. (4) People who are threatened by the rise of great content featuring and/or created by talent of color. (5) People who are easily annoyed when I bring up hiring POC.